Summary

The Microsoft .NET Framework is a Microsoft Windows component that is available to Windows users through various distribution channels. These distribution channels include the Microsoft Update Web site and the Microsoft Download Center. This component is also installed on some new computers. This article reviews the benefits of having the .NET Framework installed on the computer.

For more information about the Microsoft Update Web site, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

The .NET Framework 1.1Service Pack 1 (SP1) is the latest service pack.

The .NET Framework 1.0Service Pack 3 (SP3) is the latest service pack.

You may have several versions of the .NET Framework installed on your computer. Each version of the .NET Framework can co-exist with the other versions on the computer.

Note Most of the time, you can use the latest version of the .NET Framework to run applications that were created by using earlier versions of the .NET Framework. The .NET Framework 4 does not automatically roll forward older applications. Older applications require the Framework they target to be installed unless the developer provides a configuration file to redirect the application to run on .NET Framework 4.

Note Before you install a release version of the .NET Framework, you must remove any beta versions on which the release version is based. If you do not do this, the installation of the release version of the .NET Framework will fail. You can uninstall beta versions of the .NET Framework by using the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel. This is a good first step to try if the installation of the .NET Framework fails from the Microsoft Update Web site and you need to troubleshoot the issue.

The following list includes some of the benefits of having the .NET Framework installed:

Easier installation of commercial applications: Many commercial applications from Microsoft and from third parties rely on the .NET Framework to support their core functionality. If you have the .NET Framework installed, these applications are easier to install. Some applications that depend on the .NET Framework for support include the following:

Microsoft Security Essentials

Intuit QuickBooks

HP Image Zone

Streamload

PayPal

Grouper

Easier updates: After the .NET Framework is installed, it is updated automatically by the Microsoft Update service. If you receive Automatic Updates through Control Panel, any versions of the .NET Framework that are installed on the computer will always be up to date with the latest service packs.

References

For more information about the Microsoft .NET Framework, visit the following MSDN Web site:

For more information about installed versions of the .NET Framework and related service packs on your computer, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

318785 How to determine which versions of the .NET Framework are installed and whether service packs have been applied

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.